Ole Miss probes monkey gestures toward off-campus student
University officials are reviewing an incident where two neighbors allegedly mocked a Black resident, citing recent FBI hate crime data.
By Kofi Costa ·
A Black student at the University of Mississippi is navigating a new housing conflict after her upstairs neighbors allegedly directed monkey noises and gestures at her off-campus apartment in Oxford. The student captured the encounter on her doorbell camera on Friday. She reports prior minor disputes with the two women over noise and general neighborly friction, but she characterizes the specific animal sounds as a distinct form of racism.
University officials confirmed they are investigating the incident. The school described the behavior as hurtful and unacceptable. The investigation will determine the appropriate next steps for the off-campus residents involved.
The incident adds to a national backdrop of racial bias in educational settings. The FBI recorded 10,881 hate crime incidents in 2025. Of those victims, 55.6% were targeted because of race. From 2015 to 2024, crimes against Black people consistently ranked at the top of the racial categories, accounting for roughly 32% of all reported hate crimes. A 2025 study found that 70% of college students interviewed said they faced discrimination while in school.
Mississippi’s historical context often influences how these events are received. The state ranked first in lynchings from 1877 to 1950. Between 1882 and 1970, more than 500 people were lynched in the state. Black registered voters in Mississippi dropped from 60,167 in 1867 to 8,615 by 1892, a decline attributed to poll taxes and literacy tests.
One listener to a local radio segment said he would keep his children enrolled at the school. He stated, “We have to deal with this in this society,” and suggested letting the administration decide on the punishment. The student has not yet indicated whether she intends to leave her current apartment.
The university has not announced a timeline for the conclusion of its review. The two neighbors remain in the unit above the student’s residence. The school said it will determine the outcome based on its findings.
